Liquid Container Drainage Device with Conductive Plastic Grounding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid containers for chemical transport and storage face issues with electrostatic charge dissipation, leading to potential ignition hazards, and current solutions complicate the drainage device structure, causing material wastage and increased manufacturing costs due to compatibility and assembly problems with plastic components.
Innovation Solution
A liquid container featuring a drainage device with electrically conductive plastic means, comprising a tubular member and a heat-sealable polymeric material with carbon black or metal fibers, integrated into the drainage system to efficiently discharge electrostatic charges while maintaining compatibility and tightness with plastic components, using a simplified assembly process that includes welding of components for stability and cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal grounding connections are used to discharge electrostatic charges, then electrostatic charge dissipation is achieved, but device complexity increases and compatibility with plastic components deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite plastic materials with embedded conductive elements (carbon black, metal fibers, or graphite) to create a grounding device that combines electrical conductivity with plastic material compatibility. This composite approach eliminates the need for separate metal grounding components while maintaining effective electrostatic charge dissipation through the drainage device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The grounding function is merged with the drainage device structure itself. The conductive plastic material is integrated into the drainage device components (outlet sleeve, tubular member, flange), combining the drainage and grounding functions into a single integrated assembly rather than using separate metal grounding attachments.
2Reliability
If metal grounding connections are used, then electrostatic charge dissipation is achieved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to assembly compatibility issues
Solution Approach 1:
The grounding device is manufactured from the same plastic material as the container body and drainage device components, ensuring homogeneous material properties throughout. This homogeneity eliminates compatibility issues between dissimilar materials (metal and plastic) and allows for simplified manufacturing processes such as injection molding or extrusion of the conductive plastic components.
Solution Approach 2:
By using composite plastic materials with embedded conductive additives, the grounding function is achieved through material composition rather than separate metal components, greatly simplifying the manufacturing and assembly process while ensuring compatibility with other plastic parts of the drainage device.
3Reliability
If conductive elements are placed between flange and container wall, then electrostatic charge dissipation is achieved, but loss of substance increases due to liquid losses from inadequate welding
Solution Approach 1:
Using the same plastic material for the grounding components and container body ensures homogeneous material properties and compatible bonding characteristics. This eliminates welding or joining issues between dissimilar materials, ensuring proper sealing and preventing liquid losses while maintaining electrostatic charge dissipation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The grounding function is merged into the drainage device structure itself, eliminating the need for separate grounding connections that would require welding or other joining methods. The conductive plastic material is integrated into the outlet sleeve and tubular member, ensuring proper sealing and preventing liquid leakage while providing electrostatic charge dissipation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively dissipates electrostatic charges without compromising the container's tightness or compatibility, reducing material wastage and manufacturing costs by using electrically conductive plastic materials that are compatible with the drainage device, ensuring safe and efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
electrically conductive plastic means (20), comprising a tubular member (21) and a heat-sealable polymeric material with carbon black or metal fibers
Implementation Method 2
heat-sealable polymeric material with carbon black or metal fibers, integrated into the drainage system
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid container (1) comprises a container body (2) with an outlet sleeve (3) having a free end (3a) defining an outlet opening, a drainage device (10) having a flange (11), and electrically conductive means (20) for discharging electrostatic charges from the container (1). The drainage device (10) comprises a tubular member (12) at least partly inserted into the outlet sleeve (3), and the electrically conductive means (20) comprise a first portion (21) interposed between the tubular member (12) of the drainage device (10) and the outlet sleeve (3) of the container body (2) and a second portion (22) connected to the first portion (21), disposed between the flange (11) and the free end (3a) of the outlet sleeve (3). The second portion (22) projects out of the drainage device (10). Particularly, the electrically conductive means are made of an electrically conductive plastic material.